Margretee Golding Awardee

G. Rashmi Samaram joined IWC Vijayawada in 1978 and was the President in 1985-86. She started the well-baby clinic, a continuous project that has been successful over the years. She adopted Balwadis and provided nutritious food to the needy.

She was the District Chairman IW District 302 in 1995-96. She gave priority to Pulse Polio Program. A guideline book about polio was published in Telugu – Polio Nirmulana Mahayagnam. Questionnaires and pamphlets on Polio were released. District Seminar on Women and Health was conducted and  a book on health aspects of women – Streelu Aarogyam was published. She started the Zonal Meets which are continued till date. 4 Zonal Meets were organized that year under Zonal Representatives.  Construction of cottages for the aged, classrooms with grills at blind school, auditorium for Inner Wheel activities were undertaken by the clubs during her tenure.

In 2017-18, 50 mega projects were taken up by the Golden Jubilee President Rashmi Samaram as the club celebrated 50 years of service. A few highlight projects – major awareness program to improve self-defense training, vocational skill, and education of women in society; awareness rally for women on safety measures while driving vehicles for the target age group 18-60; free eye checkup camp for 32360 students from 155 Zilla Parishad Patashalas, and distribution of spectacles; upgrading  17  Municipal Schools to Happy Schools.

Rashmi is a warm, affectionate, and friendly person whose simplicity has won the hearts of many. She was born and brought  up in a family dedicated to social work. She is the founder member and  secretary of Vasavya Mahila Mandali an organization propelled by women. Rashmi strongly believes in uplifting the tribals and strengthening them with necessary skills. She has brought a positive change in the lifestyle of the tribals.  Under the leadership of Rashmi various initiatives were taken to create awareness, care, support, and treatment of people affected by AIDS. Rashmi as a part of her daily schedule interacts with women who are victims of trafficking staying at a home supported by the government and run by VMM. Counselling and skill-based training is given to them.  Rashmi as Life member of Indian Red Cross Society has raised funds to finance 5000 medical kits to COVID positive patients in Home Isolation. She successfully runs an orphanage and an old age home. Rashmi actively promotes patriotic sentiments and Gandhian ideals among youth and children as Member, Andhra Pradesh Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. Her enduring acts of philanthropy towards the exploited and the vulnerable has won her the prestigious Margarette Golding Award, a glowing tribute to her service carried over half a century.